Reim Organization: Forging Global Health Collaborations

Reim Organization was founded by two visionary leaders, each bringing unique expertise to the table. Dr. Ofir Koren, an interventional cardiologist and global researcher, specializes in cutting-edge, minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedures that offer safer alternatives to traditional open-heart surgery. As an editor-in-chief, author, and keynote speaker at international conferences, Dr. Koren's influence extends well beyond his work at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is deeply committed to international medical diplomacy, leading the Los Angeles Initiative to foster collaborations between hospitals, academic institutions, and biotech companies in the United States and Israel to discover new and innovative medical solutions. 

Together with him at Reim Organization is Mrs. Eti El-Kiss Mizrahi, CEO of ETI Accounting & Consulting, Inc., a prominent firm specializing in accounting, taxation, and entertainment business management. Prior to Reim, Mizrahi was involved in medical diplomacy. For the past five years, she has been involved in international diplomacy as Project President and Business Plan Writer for Medical Diplomacy Azerbaijan through Green-4-Kids, founded by her and her daughter, Dr.Elizabeth Klein. Her dedication to bridging gaps and fostering collaboration is a testament to her commitment to global unity. This experience and her expertise in asset retention, budgeting, and strategic planning complement Dr. Koren’s medical acumen. The dynamic collaboration between these two leaders has been the backbone of Reim’s success. 

Q: What inspired you to start medical diplomacy? 

Eti: Ofir and I have strong connections to Israel and a deep understanding of its healthcare system. Although Israel offers excellent medical services and advanced technology, these resources are mostly concentrated in the major cities of the central region. The disparities in healthcare access between the northern and southern regions are concerning. These areas face significant challenges, such as limited advanced medical services, a shortage of MRI machines, fewer doctors, and long distances to dialysis centers. We are committed to addressing these issues and have the expertise to make a meaningful impact. 

Dr. Koren: We have both been involved in medical diplomacy from different parts of the world—Eti in Azerbaijan, where there is a critical shortage of medical professionals, and myself in the U.S., where innovative solutions are highly valued. The goal of medical diplomacy is to meet mutual needs for funding, research, and medical solutions through collaboration. Ultimately, it’s about enhancing patient care. A successful partnership can revolutionize a region by introducing new medical services, advanced equipment, and improved skills to rural healthcare providers. Effective medical diplomacy can overcome geographical barriers and transform small rural hospitals into leaders in their fields. 

Q: What challenges or obstacles have you faced in your mission for medical diplomacy, and how have you overcome them? 

Eti: We faced numerous challenges from both the Israeli and US sides, including a lack of creative solutions, complex bureaucracy, cultural differences, communication barriers, and funding shortages. This is where our combined expertise comes into play. We navigate these challenges and find creative solutions for the benefit of our partners. 

Dr. Koren: The major challenge began on October 7, 2023, when Israel found itself in an unprecedented war. This massive operation required all available medical personnel, nurses, paramedics, and doctors to leave their positions immediately, leaving some hospital wards with only 30% of their regular staff. We answered the call by launching a massive international operation to send millions of dollars worth of medical supplies and dispatched top American doctors to Israel. 

Q: Do you have any stories involving Reim that you would like to share?  

Dr. Koren: One unique story involves Dr. Fardad Esmailian, a Jewish-American heart surgeon born in Iran who immigrated to the US at age 14 due to extreme antisemitism. Dr. Esmailian became one of the world’s best heart surgeons and transplant specialists. Once the war started, he felt compelled to help Israel despite not having visited in 30 years. With Reim’s support, he flew to Israel and operated on patients at Sheba Medical Center.  

A particularly memorable moment occurred when Dr. Esmailian operated on a 40-year-old Muslim patient who needed urgent heart surgery. Most of the Israeli surgeons in that ward had been recruited by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces), so Dr. Esmailian led the operation. The surgery was successful, involving the complete replacement of the damaged heart valve, ultimately saving the patient's life.  

This is the true meaning of Reim—the friendship and connection between states, communities, religions, and, ultimately, people. This is what we stand for. Dr. Esmailian heads the transplant program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and is participating in a second mission to Israel. 

Q: What’s the next step? 

We are currently engaged in an incredible project in partnership with Adi Negev, the largest rehabilitation village in southern Israel, to address the high rate of mental health issues among children and teenagers. The southern district has endured and witnessed some of the most horrific terror attacks ever seen in a Western country. This facility treats hundreds of disabled children and teenagers daily. One can only imagine the catastrophe if a terrorist had entered the unsecured facility on October 7th. 

Currently, over 600 children urgently need mental therapy to address anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and insomnia to return to normal life. Some of them can no longer sleep alone, wet the bed at night, develop cutaneous diseases due to unbearable stress, and become isolated from society. The stories we have heard are heartbreaking. This program aims to connect American teenagers from various communities, including Christians, Latinx, African Americans, and Jews, with their Israeli counterparts from the southern district. 

The program is directed by Dr. Regina Koren, our Chief of Operations and head of the Education division, who works as a pediatric dentist and NLP practitioner and understands the complexity of dealing with all types of childhood stress. We all hope this program will help save the souls of these children, allowing us to build a better and healed society for future generations. 

Q: What sets Reim apart from global non-profit organizations, and what unique perspective do you bring to this world? 

Dr. Koren: Reim is one of the few organizations in the US that specifically aims to support the peripheral regions of Israel, focusing on the northern and southern districts, which need our medical assistance more than others. We are also among the few American organizations on the West Coast that have been able to provide Israeli medical permits to qualified doctors since October 7th.  

As an apolitical organization, we serve all Israeli citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity and seek partnerships from all American communities. We promote medical diplomacy for the long-lasting prosperity of the entire community and population.  

Eti: What truly sets us apart is our ambition, passion, the combination of our characters and skills, friendship, and mutual respect. We dedicate much of our lives to this volunteer work, supported by our families and friends. This unique perspective allows us to make a significant impact and bring a fresh approach to the challenges we face. 

Q: What has been the overarching impact of Reim's medical equipment provision in Israel, and how does it resonate with broader international cooperation efforts? 

Eti: Since October 7th, Reim has sent medical equipment worth $2.6 million to the IDF, emergency medical services, medical centers, and hospitals across Israel. We provide state-of-the-art, innovative medical equipment, such as portable ultrasounds, video-assisted laryngoscopes, blood-warmer kits for urgent blood transfusions, and even anxiety-relief inhalers—used for the first time in a Western war. We’ve received numerous testimonials proving that our equipment has saved the lives of many Israeli citizens and soldiers. 

Our doctors have made a tremendous impact by providing medical care and maintaining scheduled surgeries while their colleagues were called to serve their nation. We have financially supported the customization of prosthetic limbs for amputee soldiers and helped establish the first prosthetic lab and teaching center to sustain this advanced technology in Israel. Our program to minimize anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD aims to help raise a new generation of healthy and healed individuals in Israel. 

We have received endorsements from the Israeli Consulate in the Pacific Southwest, as well as certificates of recognition for our humanitarian mission from US elected officials and leaders from the Latin and African American communities. Additionally, we have successfully met with the Minister of Health, Mr. Uriel Buso, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Israel Katz, to discuss ways to promote health diplomacy. 

Q: What inspired you to start Reim or send doctors to war zones? 

Dr. Koren: Our inspiration stems deeply from our religious, cultural, and ancestral roots. We were raised with the principle of helping others, a value deeply embedded in many religions, especially Judaism. The idea of "passing it on"—helping a fellow friend so they can, in turn, help others—is a cornerstone of our motivation. This intrinsic value of aiding others and fostering a supportive community led us to create Reim. 

Q: What message do you wish to convey to the world? 

Dr. Koren: Reim embodies the biblical Hebrew concept of 'friendship' and serves as our contribution to the State of Israel, reflecting the core values of its people. At this critical moment, Israel needs your support more than ever. Our apolitical organization transcends religious and cultural boundaries, symbolizing a powerful connection with the American people and all their diverse communities. 

We reach out to all American communities, inviting them to join us in building a better world together. The time for change is now. The citizens of Israel need your help more than ever. The message we wish to convey to the world is to be part of our mission! Be part of Reim and help us save lives." 

For Dr. Koren and Eti El-Kiss Mizrahi, medical diplomacy is a powerful tool that is still growing to its full potential. Their concept acts as a bridge that connects nations, communities, and individuals, transcending boundaries and bringing healing and hope to those in need. Reim has emerged as a significant global player, championing medical diplomacy for peripheral communities by consistently delivering critical aid and medical personnel to the people of Israel. 

**This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider.**